[Hyogo, Sumoto] Experience the extraordinary at Senkoji Temple, located on Sakiyama, the mountain said to be the first mountain to be created in Japan according to the "creation myth" (Tsūtra copying experience).

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• At Senkoji Temple, a temple with a 1,100-year history atop Awaji Island's sacred mountain, Sakiyama, you can enjoy views of Sumoto City, one of the Eight Views of Sumoto, while visiting the main hall. Then, in the mystical silence of the temple, you can participate in a sutra copying experience, an extraordinary experience. After the experience, you can also visit Iwato Shrine, if you wish. Sakiyama, also known as "Awaji Fuji," is said to be the first mountain created in Japan, according to the "Kuni-omi Myth," a legend about the creation of the heavens and earth by the gods Izanagi and Izanami. At Senkoji Temple, whose temple stands atop Sakiyama, you can experience copying sutras. First, climb the approximately 200 steps to tour the temple grounds, learn about the origins of Senkoji Temple, and see the site where the rare Awaji Island custom of "dango rolling" is performed. You'll also be greeted by a pair of lion-dog guardian boars, instead of lion-dog guardian dogs, enshrined in front of the main hall. Because it's a mountaintop temple, you can see the central and southern parts of Awaji Island, and on clear days, you can even see the Naruto Strait and Wakayama. Return to the temple office and experience sutra copying at the Daishido Hall. This sutra copying involves copying the standard version of the Heart Sutra. Place the paper on top of a copy of the Heart Sutra and then copy over it with a brush pen. Beginners are welcome. Copying the characters in this solemn space offers a valuable experience of self-reflection. You can either donate your copy to the temple or take it home. After the experience, you can also visit Iwato Shrine, a popular power spot that enshrines the giant rock where Amaterasu Omikami is said to have hidden herself, about 10 minutes down the street from the temple. (Please note that this is a full-scale mountain path) Experience schedule (for example, if starting at 13:00) 13:00 Meet up *Walk around the temple grounds, including visiting the main hall (guided by the head priest Okazaki) 14:00 Copying sutras at Daishido (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour) 15:00 Scheduled end *After the tour, you can also walk around the temple grounds and visit Iwato Shrine (on your own). It takes about 10 minutes to walk one way up the mountain path to Iwato Shrine.
• [Senkoji Temple]
• Founded approximately 1,100 years ago, Sakiyama Senkoji Temple is a rare mountaintop temple in Japan. The temple grounds are packed with historical attractions, including the "Two Great Shrines" dedicated to the two deities Izanagi and Izanami, the Nio statues said to have been created by Unkei, the "Bonsho" bell designated as a national important cultural property, and the three-story pagoda, a cultural asset of Sumoto City. [Why are there koma boars (rather than lion dogs) enshrined in front of the main hall? The legend of Izasaou] Deep in the mountains of Ueno in Banshu, there was a large boar called Izasaou. Shot by a hunter named Chuta, Izasaou dove into the sea, landed at Tsukuura (present-day Tomishima), and fled to Sakiyama. Chuta followed him and spotted a shining Thousand-Armed Kannon statue in a hollow of a large cedar tree at the top of Sakiyama. Upon closer inspection, he saw the arrow he had shot still embedded in the statue. Upon seeing this, Chuta was inspired* and changed his name to Jakunin, and legend has it that he enshrined the Kannon statue and built Senkoji Temple.
• [Dumpling Rolling]
• At Senkoji Temple, there is a custom of "Dango Korogashi" (rolling dumplings) on the 35th day after the death of a deceased person. As the spirit of the deceased climbs the mountain, they throw food to attract the attention of evil spirits that get in their way. This tradition is said to have been linked to the Buddhist memorial service on the 35th day, which is considered the day of judgment by King Enma. Known as "Takayama Mairi" and "Segaki," this funeral ritual has been passed down on Awaji Island for a long time and has become a source of comfort for pilgrims from both within and outside the island.
• [Iwato Shrine]
• This shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, and its sacred rock is an impressive 8 meters high! There is a cleft in the middle, and in the legend of Ame-no-Iwato (Cave of Heaven), Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in the cave, and the world was plunged into darkness.